Legal Case Study: Foster Parents

As of 2016 there were nearly a half million children in the foster care system, with roughly 25,000 “aging-out” each year (Ahmann, 2017). Most adolescents “age out” of the system with no one to mentor or serve as a caring parent figure. Foster youth are in dire need of long-term adult role models to guide them to achieve success. According to Ahmann, 50% of foster youth left “the system” without a high-school degree, as well as with having higher rates of PTSD, and depression (p. 43). Ahmann presented that research has proven teenagers, in general, that have quality relationships from adults able to provide support, do better than those that do not. If research has shown efficacy in supportive adult figures in a teen’s life then one can conclude that foster youth would also benefit. Foster children are at a disadvantage a soon as they enter “the system” so giving them resources proven positive is vital to their future success.

This case was last before the court on 6/26/2017 for a report to the court. At that time, temporary custody of Issac Johnson remained with the Department and a pretrial conference date was set for October 30, 2017.

On Tuesday July 7, 2015, at approximately 3:01 PM, Kiana Beekman, (MFCU Investigator) (Beekman) received a call on the state office telephone from HILL, Lucy (Service Facilitator of Lucy Hill Services (LHS). During the conversation, Beekman asked HILL to clarify her role and responsibilities as a service facilitator, in addition to the role and responsibilities of HARRIS, LaFrance as the Employer of Records (EOR) for Medicaid Recipient DANIEL, Rose and MCGHEE, Inocencia as DANIEL’s aide. She was also asked to provide any documentation of training on timesheet submission and approvals that she provided HARRIS and MCGHEE under the Department of Medicaid Services (DMAS) Consumer-Directed care aide program.

Housing Update: client NY NY I, II was approved. Client is waiting for DHS manifest to tour apartment. Another alternative housing is MRT once client SSI is approved. Client also mentioned she signed up with Brightpoint Health Home Health Services since 5/9/2015, Client report she will like to sign up with CAMBA/Home Health and she provided BrightPoint Home Health approval letter for CM to submit to CAMBA/Home Health Coordinator. Client is waiting for her coordinator at Brightpoint to return from vacation to close her case, so that she can sign up with CAMBA/Home Health

Housing: Ms. Williams is City FEPS certify. Case Manager encouraged Ms. Williams to continue working closely with her assigned Housing Specialist for the purpose of obtain the proper information about housing.

Housing: Case Manager informed client that she must meet with assigned Housing Specialist on a weekly basis to discuss her housing opportunities.

She stated that Carlee was removed without affidavit, it was presented later, on Monday 09/19/16 with alleged old issues that DHS already has investigated and did not find evidence of them. She was inquiring why. GAO informed her that regarding the affidavit, is DHS considers that any child is at risk, will go and remove the kid and then within 24 hour will request the affidavit.

I called the constituent, she asked how can she file a grievance against a CW caseworker that is no longer working for the DHS. She said that Karl Kikman, who was the CW CPS caseworker had told her back in June, that if she cooperates with CW and let him get in her house, this CW case will have a UNFOUNDED disposition, but he lied, after she fully cooperated with him, the case has been coded as a FOUNDED.

She asked to review her application for February then, since Jeffrey is no longer receiving UC and he does not expect to increase his income because the inclement weather. I asked her if she already has spoken with her worker. She said that she has called twice, but nobody is returning her calls. I told her I will send and email to the branch lead worker asking to have someone to call her back to discuss her application for February. I gave her my information and phone

When placing a child with a foster family, the key ethical issues that are most likely to arise with placing a foster child with a foster parent are informed consent. Everyone who participates in the evaluation should do so willingly. In general, people participating in any research project, including an evaluation, have the right to choose whether or not to participate without any penalties. As the team will be examining records and collecting information, it is imperative that everyone participating is aware of what is needed and willingly chooses to participate.

Because I was cognizant of The Department of Social Services 30 day application policy that indicates a representative has a minimum of 30 days to process an application to determine a recipient’s eligibility. The information provided pertinent data that help me assist and advocate for my client’s needs.

There has always been a long debate as to whether being placed in foster care or in a group home is in the best interest for a child. Often times, when a child needs to be placed in foster care or a group home, it is because he or she has been abused or neglected. In foster care, a child is placed with an individual family, which can create a more personable environment. Those who say that foster care is better argue that “human beings are naturally designed with

She had a mom bring in her children to see her and in the parenting plan it stated that she was the primary custodian and had decision making around medical appointments and services. The dad was calling her office to speak to her, however to follow the laws on the parenting plan she could not call him until she had a release of information from mom. Lois’s firsthand legal and ethical challenge is when clients disclose abuse and do not want you to report, however by the laws and ethics of being a mandated reporter, she had to call CPS to report. She says she handles this by being upfront and honest with clients about being a mandated reporter at intake, and if she does ever have to make a CPS report she will let the family know before she calls to keep open communication and maintain trust.

“Every child in foster care is endowed with the rights inherently belonging to all children” (Dougherty, 2005). Children in foster care have human rights just as all human beings and because of their temporary placement status these rights require special safeguards, resources and care (Dougherty, 2005). There is a great injustice often done to children in foster care through policy practices. Case planning that does not collaborate with age appropriate children is does not promote social justice. Also children in foster care are often on the receiving end when it comes to caseworker failure to follow policy. Children in foster care often times are not informed of placement changes, although they are directly affected. More than often children

The study consisted of 12 parents who foster children ages 2-8 years old. The high levels of conduct problems among children in the foster care system and the added cost to families, society and services, there is a pressing need to support foster parents. Providing foster care to children with increased emotional, behavioral, and medical needs requires not only time, but patience in dealing with the child’s demands. Foster parents often voice they are unprepared to meet demand of children with increased behavioral and emotional needs and adolescents in their care. This situation can result in placement disruption, which further strains foster care resources and has negative impacts on foster children and youth. The incidence of conduct disorder